In a first, hijab-clad journalist anchors newscast in Canada

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A woman has become the first hijab-clad journalist in Canada to anchor a newscast.

CityNews reporter Ginella Massa anchored the network’s late-night newscast on November 17, following which she tweeted, “That’s a wrap! Tonight wasn’t just important for me. I don’t think a woman in hijab has ever anchored a newscast in Canada.”

Massa received a wave of support from users on social media with her tweet being favourited 2,779 times. Speaking to Yahoo Style, Massa said she was thrilled to be the first hijab-wearing host on a Canadian newscast, and acknowledged how long it taken to achieve the breakthrough.

“It feels really amazing to be the first hijabi reporter in Canada, but I certainly hope I’m not the last,” she added. While reaction to Massa’s newscast has been mostly positive in Canada, she did receive a few negative comments and tweets as well.

However, she said, “But this is all the more reason in today’s climate to see positive images of Muslim women,” she said. “They are a symbol of Islam when they wear the hijab and that carries a powerful image. It’s so important to see positive images of us in the media.”